Inert anode stable cathode assembly

Abstract

This invention includes apparatus and method for providing a support mechanism for electrode assemblies including positioning spacer of electrically nonconductive material having an inside surface forming an internal cavity and a heat pipe for passing a heat transfer fluid through the cavity along the inside surface. The heat pipe transfers heat away from the positioning spacer to form a protective layer of frozen bath around the positioning spacer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Corrosion-resistant positioning means for electrodes immersed in a chemical bath comprising: (a) a spacer of electrically nonconductive material positioned between an anode and a cathode for providing a specified anode-cathode distance and having an inside surface forming an internal cavity;   (b) means for passing a heat transfer fluid through said cavity along said inside surface; and   (c) a heat pipe for transferring heat away from said spacer.   
     
     
       2. Positioning means as set forth in claim 1, said heat pipe comprising a potassium or sodium heat pipe fluid for transferring heat away from said spacer. 
     
     
       3. Positioning means as set forth in claim 2 wherein said heat pipe transfers electrical current to said inert anode. 
     
     
       4. Positioning means as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heat pipe is capable of providing a protective layer of frozen bath on the outside surface of said spacer. 
     
     
       5. Positioning means as set forth in claim 4 wherein said chemical bath comprises cryolite. 
     
     
       6. Positioning means as set forth in claim 5 wherein said heat pipe comprises a potassium heat pipe fluid. 
     
     
       7. A method for positioning an anode and cathode and protecting an electrode positioning member from corrosive attack while immersed in a chemical bath, comprising: (a) positioning an electrode positioning member between an anode and a cathode to form a specified anode-cathode distance, said positioning member having an inside surface forming an internal cavity;   (b) protecting said positioning member by forming a frozen layer of said chemical bath covering said positioning member by passing a coolant through said cavity along said inside surface; and   (c) establishing a heat pipe in said cavity to enhance the heat transfer of said coolant flowing through said cavity.   
     
     
       8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein said chemical bath comprises cryolite and said coolant comprises potassium or sodium. 
     
     
       9. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said coolant consists essentially of potassium.